Gavin Baldwin: A thank you on behalf of Club Doncaster

The progress that the club has made over the break is a credit to Carl and all involved with Doncaster Rugby League.

We look forward to an exciting season ahead and one that can help put this rugby club back on the map in what we hope is a promotion season for us all.

Our aim with the Dons, as it is with Rovers, is to involve and to engage with the supporters at every given opportunity. That started pre-season with the kit vote, the fans currently selecting the matchday music, the introduction of an SLO, the evolution of the fan panel and working closely with them all to enhance and improve the matchday experience.

Speaking of fan engagement, our drive for betterment and to become one of the best teams of practitioners has taken a huge step with the introduction of the Club Doncaster technical kit supplier FBT. This exclusive partnership allows us to offer supporters the opportunity for greater influence on what the club apparel will look like, feel like and on the quality of the finished product.

In partnership with FBT, we will shortly be flying the two fans that have designed our 2016/17 replica shirts out to Thailand to press the button when their concepts become a reality during the manufacturing process.

We believe this is a world first and is one of many reasons that our partnership with FBT can take our fan engagement to the next level.

The partnership with FBT also opens up a number of commercial opportunities within the Far East, which will enable us to secure finances that can then be put towards the development of both first team squads.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Dons and Rovers supporters that have purchased season tickets for the forthcoming seasons. It is your commitment, dedication and support that makes Club Doncaster very special and one we are all proud to be part of. Over 25 per cent of Dons season tickets have been sold to brand new supporters and Rovers season ticket sales to date have seen an increase of four per cent against this time last year. It is our job and our commitment on and off the field to ensure that they all return the season after.

A special mention to our Club Doncaster Foundation and Sports College and their summer recruitment drive. NCS recruitment so far has seen them secure 365 students against a 450 target, the college’s recruitment drive to reach 138 students is well on target as they have 121 students committed to next term already. Great work by all.